Systems, Devices, and/or Methods for Managing a Thermocouple Module

ABSTRACT

Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, which can comprise a thermocouple input module. The thermocouple input module can be adapted to determine one or more calibration factors. The thermocouple input module can be adapted to store the calibration factors. The thermocouple input module can be adapted to apply the calibration factors to an incoming thermocouple voltage value to obtain an adjusted thermocouple voltage value.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to, and incorporates by reference herein in its entirety pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/994,938 (Attorney Docket No. 2007P18272US (1009-301)), filed 21 Sep. 2007; and pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/994,750 (Attorney Docket No. 2007P20439US (1009-333)), filed 21 Sep. 2007.

BACKGROUND

U.S. Pat. No. 6,870,421 (Takashi), which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, allegedly discloses that the “invention provides a temperature characteristic compensation apparatus that correct temperature characteristics of control circuits using thermal sensors into linear or optional temperature gradients to guarantee correct and stable operations thereof. It is equipped with a temperature characteristic compensation apparatus, that can include: a constant current source in which a plurality of constant current paths that include the constant current path having a first resistance being interposed therein, which compose current mirror circuits in multiple stages, a band gap circuit formed from a pair of transistors that are connected to the constant current paths, respectively, and a voltage follower circuit, including the aforementioned constant current source and the band gap circuit that provide a reference voltage, which supplies the reference voltage at a low impedance. The ratio between the first and second resistances can be freely selected in connection with the ratio between emitter areas of the pair of transistors (the size ratio of the two transistors), such that a gradient of temperature coefficient of the output voltage can be flexibly set.” See Abstract.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,344,747 (Lunghofer), which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, allegedly discloses that a “device and method for monitoring the condition of a thermocouple. In a preferred embodiment the device comprises a pair of thermocouples, each thermocouple comprising first and second thermoelement wires, and a diagnostic element selectively electrically coupled at a junction with one of the thermoelement. In a preferred embodiment, the diagnostic element is selected such that it is more stable at the expected operating temperature range of the thermocouple than the thermoelement wires themselves are. The diagnostic element can be switched into electrical connection with any of the thermoelements forming the thermocouples to thereby define one or more loops. An initial loop resistance is measured and recorded around each of the thermoelement/diagnostic element loops. This initial resistance is stored in a calibration matrix as a reference value. The initial loop resistance may be taken as part of a calibration process or during initial operation of the thermocouple. Subsequent loop resistance measurements are then taken over time as the thermocouples age and compared against the reference value. By comparing the reference value to subsequent measurements, the level of degradation of the thermoelements can be monitored. Further, in an embodiment utilizing an electrically conductive sheath material, a conductive sheath wire may be used to connect the sheath to any one of the thermoelements or the diagnostic element. By monitoring the resistance in a measurement circuit formed thereby, potential or actual virtual junction error in the thermocouple assembly may be detected.” See Abstract.

SUMMARY

Certain exemplary embodiments cam provide a system, which can comprise a thermocouple input module. The thermocouple input module can be adapted to determine one or more calibration factors. The thermocouple input module can be adapted to store the calibration factors. The thermocouple input module can be adapted to apply the calibration factors to an incoming thermocouple voltage value to obtain an adjusted thermocouple voltage value.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A wide variety of potential practical and useful embodiments will be more readily understood through the following detailed description of certain exemplary embodiments, with reference to the accompanying exemplary drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a system 1000;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method 2000;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method 3000; and

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an information device 4000.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, which can comprise a thermocouple input module. The thermocouple input module can be adapted to determine one or more calibration factors. The thermocouple input module can be adapted to store the calibration factors. The thermocouple input module can be adapted to apply the calibration factors to an incoming thermocouple voltage value to obtain an adjusted thermocouple voltage value.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a system 1000, which can comprise a programmable logic controller 1100. Programmable logic controller 1100 can comprise and/or be communicatively coupled to an input module 1200, which can be a thermocouple input module. Input module 1200 can be communicatively coupled to any desired number of sensors, such as a sensor 1300, which can be a thermocouple. Via the control program, programmable logic controller 1100 can be adapted to receive information from sensor 1300 and/or, via a control program, control an actuator in hard real time.

Input module 1200 can be adapted to:

-   -   receive calibration voltage values from the thermocouple;     -   using the calibration voltage values received from a         thermocouple, determine one or more calibration factors selected         from an offset positive voltage gain, negative voltage gain, and         a cold junction temperature adjustment;     -   store the calibration factors;     -   prior to obtaining a temperature value approximately         corresponding to an incoming thermocouple voltage value, apply         the calibration factors to the incoming thermocouple voltage         value to obtain an adjusted thermocouple voltage value;     -   convert the adjusted thermocouple voltage value to a temperature         value;     -   transmit the temperature value to the programmable logic         controller; and/or     -   reset the calibration factors to stored defaults.

In certain exemplary embodiments, the one or more calibration factors can be determined within firmware of the thermocouple input module. In certain exemplary embodiments, the one or more calibration factors comprise the offset, positive voltage gain, negative voltage gain, and the cold junction temperature adjustment.

Programmable logic controller 1100 can be communicatively coupled to an information device 1600 via a network 1500. Information device 1600 can comprise and/or be communicatively coupled to a user interface 1620 and a user program 1640. User program 1540 can be adapted to monitor and/or control one or more activities associated with programmable logic controller 1100 such as creating, modifying, and/or compiling the control program. User interface 1620 can be adapted to render information regarding programmable logic controller 1100 such as information regarding creating, modifying, and/or compiling the control program.

For thermocouple modules, such as those used with industrial Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) systems, a voltage calibration can be performed to compensate for signal degradation due to wiring and/or thermocouple inaccuracies and/or to obtain high accuracy specifications. A factory calibration can be performed during a manufacturing process to calibrate errors that arise inside a module's hardware circuit. Yet for some applications, this calibration of the module by the factory is not adequate for the customer due additional errors introduced by signal degradation caused by poor wiring and/or sensor error.

A customer can attempt to compensate for these additional errors via performing a user calibration for a particular thermocouple input module as it is used in a given application. In certain exemplary embodiments, such a calibration can be performed in the control program of the PLC. In certain exemplary embodiments, a thermocouple's thermal response characteristic can be non-linear and errors resulting therefrom can be relatively difficult to correct. In certain exemplary embodiments, the customer can adjust a temperature reading at 0° C. for a cold-junction temperature adjustment. In certain exemplary embodiments, attempting to determine a non-linear response of the thermocouple can be a time-consuming process.

Rather than attempting to calibrate within the PLC program, certain exemplary embodiments can perform user calibration inside the thermocouple input module, which can be an Input/Output module. In certain exemplary embodiments, these calibration factors can be applied to adjust the input value before it is sent to the PLC.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method 2000, which can allow errors to be compensated in a process and/or can have an improved accuracy since the module can compensate the input as a linear voltage before it is converted to temperature and sent to the PLC. In addition, this solution does not require any special PLC code to compensate the thermocouple readings so the response time of the PLC program need not be affected.

Performing such a calibration inside the thermocouple module firmware can allow a voltage calibration to be performed linearly since the module has access to the voltage information before it is converted to temperature and sent to the PLC. Voltage calibration can utilize a voltage offset, positive voltage gain, and/or negative voltage gain. Certain exemplary embodiments can calibrate the temperature error associated with the thermocouple cold-junction

Note that performing user calibration can cause unexpected behavior for the module if the calibration process is not performed properly. Thus, one feature that can be added is a reset to factory default calibration. With this approach, if the user were to accidentally make a mistake during the calibration process, the module could be restored to the factory default calibration and the user could attempt to perform the user calibration again.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method 3000. Any activity or subset of activities of method 3000 can be performed within a thermocouple input module coupled to a programmable logic controller. One or more of the activities of method 3000 can be performed using calibration voltage values received from a thermocouple At activity 3100, calibration factors adapted for use in calibrating a thermocouple can be determined. The calibration factors can be selected from an offset, positive voltage gain, negative voltage gain, and a cold junction temperature adjustment. In certain exemplary embodiments, one or more calibration factors can be determined within firmware of the thermocouple input module.

At activity 3200, the calibration factors can be stored. In certain exemplary embodiments, the calibration factors can be stored in a memory of the input module.

At activity 3300, the thermocouple can be calibrated. The thermocouple can be calibrated based upon a calibration voltage value obtained from the thermocouple. The thermocouple can be calibrated using the calibration factors.

At activity 3400, a voltage value can be obtained from the thermocouple. The voltage value can be transmitted via electrically conductive wires. The voltage value can be proportional to a temperature of the thermocouple.

At activity 3500, the voltage value can be converted to an approximate temperature value. In certain exemplary embodiments, within the thermocouple input module prior to obtaining a temperature value approximately corresponding to an incoming thermocouple voltage value, the calibration factors can be applied to the incoming thermocouple voltage value to obtain an adjusted thermocouple voltage value. The adjusted thermocouple voltage value can be converted to a temperature value.

At activity 3600, the temperature value can be transmitted to a PLC. The PLC can be adapted to utilize the temperature value as an input in a control program. The control program can be adapted to cause operation of an actuator in hard real time.

At activity 3700, the calibration factors can be reset to factory default values. In certain exemplary embodiments, the factory default values can be used to obtain an approximate temperature reading responsive to a determination that calibration factors being used in method 3000 are found to be unacceptable and/or erroneous.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an information device 4000, which in certain operative embodiments can comprise, for example, information device 1600 of FIG. 1. Information device 4000 can comprise any of numerous circuits and/or components, such as for example, one or more network interfaces 4100, one or more processors 4200, one or more memories 4300 containing instructions 4400, one or more input/output (I/O) devices 4500, and/or one or more user interfaces 4600 coupled to I/O device 4500, etc.

In certain exemplary embodiments, via one or more user interfaces 4600, such as a graphical user interface, a user can view a rendering of information related to researching, designing, modeling, creating, developing, building, manufacturing, operating, maintaining, storing, marketing, selling, delivering, selecting, specifying, requesting, ordering, receiving, returning, rating, and/or recommending any of the products, services, methods, and/or information described herein.

Definitions

When the following terms are used substantively herein, the accompanying definitions apply. These terms and definitions are presented without prejudice, and, consistent with the application, the right to redefine these terms during the prosecution of this application or any application claiming priority hereto is reserved. For the purpose of interpreting a claim of any patent that claims priority hereto, each definition (or redefined term if an original definition was amended during the prosecution of that patent), functions as a clear and unambiguous disavowal of the subject matter outside of that definition.

-   -   a—at least one.     -   actuator—a device that converts, translates, and/or interprets         signals (e.g., electrical, optical, hydraulic, pneumatic, etc.)         to cause a physical and/or humanly perceptible action and/or         output, such as a motion (e.g., rotation of a motor shaft,         vibration, position of a valve, position of a solenoid, position         of a switch, and/or position of a relay, etc.), audible sound         (e.g., horn, bell, and/or alarm, etc.), and/or visible rendering         (e.g., indicator light, non-numerical display, and/or numerical         display, etc).     -   adapted to—suitable, fit, and/or capable of performing a         specified function.     -   adjust—to change so as to match, fit, adapt, conform, and/or be         in a more effective state.     -   apply—to put to on, and/or into action and/or service; to         implement; and/or to bring into contact with something.     -   approximately—about and/or nearly the same as.     -   associate—to relate, bring together in a relationship, map,         combine, join, and/or connect.     -   automatically—acting and/or operating in a manner essentially         independent of external human influence and/or control. For         example, an automatic light switch can turn on upon “seeing” a         person in its view, without the person manually operating the         light switch.     -   based—being derived from.     -   based upon—determined in consideration of and/or derived from.     -   calibration—a checking of an instrument against a reference         point or standard.     -   calibration factor—a value that when mathematically applied to a         measured value adjusts the measured value to that of a reference         point and/or standard value.     -   can—is capable of, in at least some embodiments.     -   cause—to bring about, provoke, precipitate, produce, elicit, be         the reason for, result in, and/or effect.     -   circuit—an electrically conductive pathway and/or a         communications connection established across two or more         switching devices comprised by a network and between         corresponding end systems connected to, but not comprised by the         network.     -   cold junction temperature adjustment—a correction of a measured         voltage value of a thermocouple that is based upon a         measurement, at a location at which two metal strips of the         thermocouple are joined, at a predetermined temperature that is         relatively low compared to an expected operating temperature of         the thermocouple.     -   communicatively—linking in a manner that facilitates         communications.     -   comprise—to include but not be limited to, what follows.     -   configure—to design, arrange, set up, shape, and/or make         suitable and/or fit for a specific purpose.     -   control—(n) a mechanical or electronic device used to operate a         machine within predetermined limits; (v) to exercise         authoritative and/or dominating influence over, cause to act in         a predetermined manner, direct, adjust to a requirement, and/or         regulate.     -   convert—to transform, adapt, and/or change, such as from a first         form to a second form.     -   corresponding—related, associated, accompanying, similar in         purpose and/or position, conforming in every respect, and/or         equivalent and/or agreeing in amount, quantity, magnitude,         quality, and/or degree.     -   couple(d)—to join, connect, and/or link two things together.     -   data—information represented in a form suitable for processing         by an information device.     -   deadline—a time interval during which an activity's completion         has more utility to a system, and after which the activity's         completion has less utility. Such a time interval might be         constrained only by an upper-bound, or it might be constrained         by both upper and lower bounds.     -   default—a predetermined value that is used unless a superseding         value is provided.     -   define—to establish the meaning, relationship, outline, form,         and/or structure of: and/or to precisely and/or distinctly         describe and/or specify.     -   determine—to obtain, calculate, decide, deduce, establish,         and/or ascertain.     -   firmware—a set of machine-readable instructions that are stored         in a non-volatile read-only memory, such as a PROM, EPROM,         and/or EEPROM.     -   from—used to indicate a source.     -   further—in addition.     -   haptic—both the human sense of kinesthetic movement and the         human sense of touch. Among the many potential haptic         experiences are numerous sensations, body-positional differences         in sensations, and time-based changes in sensations that are         perceived at least partially in non-visual, non-audible, and         non-olfactory manners, including the experiences of tactile         touch (being touched), active touch, grasping, pressure,         friction, traction, slip, stretch, force, torque, impact,         puncture, vibration, motion, acceleration, jerk, pulse,         orientation, limb position, gravity, texture, gap, recess,         viscosity, pain, itch, moisture, temperature, thermal         conductivity, and thermal capacity.     -   hard deadline—the special case where completing an activity         within the deadline results in the system receiving all the         utility possible from that activity, and completing the activity         outside of the deadline results in zero utility (i.e., resources         consumed by the activity were wasted, such as when one travels         to the beach to photograph a sunrise on a particular day and         arrives after the sun has already arisen) or some negative value         of utility (i.e., the activity was counter-productive, such as         when firefighters enter a burning building to search for a         missing person seconds before the building collapses, resulting         in injury or death to the firefighters). The scheduling         criterion for a hard deadline is to always meet the hard         deadline, even if it means changing the activity to do so.     -   hard real-time—relating to computer systems that provide an         absolute deterministic response to an event. Such a response is         not based on average event time. Instead, in such computer         systems, the deadlines are fixed and the system must guarantee a         response within a fixed and well-defined time. Systems operating         in hard real-time typically interact at a low level with         physical hardware via embedded systems, and can suffer a         critical failure if time constraints are violated. A classic         example of a hard real-time computing system is the anti-lock         brakes on a car. The hard real-time constraint, or deadline, in         this system is the time in which the brakes must be released to         prevent the wheel from locking. Another example is a car engine         control system, in which a delayed control signal might cause         engine failure or damage. Other examples of hard real-time         embedded systems include medical systems such as heart         pacemakers and industrial process controllers.     -   Human Machine Interface—hardware and/or software adapted to         render information to a user and/or receive information from the         user.     -   incoming—entering from an extrinsic location.     -   information—facts, terms concepts, phrases, expressions,         commands, numbers, characters, and/or symbols, etc., that are         related to a subject. Sometimes used synonymously with data, and         sometimes used to describe organized, transformed, and/or         processed data. It is generally possible to automate certain         activities involving the management, organization, storage,         transformation, communication, and/or presentation of         information.     -   information device—any device on which resides a finite state         machine capable of implementing at least a portion of a method,         structure, and/or or graphical user interface described herein.         An information device can comprise well-known communicatively         coupled components, such as one or more network interfaces, one         or more processors, one or more memories containing         instructions, one or more input/output (I/O) devices, and/or one         or more user interfaces (e.g., coupled to an I/O device) via         which information can be rendered to implement one or more         functions described herein. For example, an information device         can be any general purpose and/or special purpose computer, such         as a personal computer, video game system (e.g., PlayStation,         Nintendo Gameboy, X-Box, etc.), workstation, server,         minicomputer, mainframe, supercomputer, computer terminal,         laptop, wearable computer, and/or Personal Digital Assistant         (PDA), iPod, mobile terminal, Bluetooth device, communicator,         “smart” phone (such as a Treo-like device), messaging service         (e.g., Blackberry) receiver, pager, facsimile, cellular         telephone, a traditional telephone, telephonic device, a         programmed microprocessor or microcontroller and/or peripheral         integrated circuit elements, a digital signal processor, an ASIC         or other integrated circuit, a hardware electronic logic circuit         such as a discrete element circuit, and/or a programmable logic         device such as a PLD, PLA, FPGA, or PAL, or the like, etc.     -   Input/Output (I/O) device—an input/output (I/O) device of an         information device can be any sensory-oriented input and/or         output device, such as an audio visual, haptic, olfactory,         and/or taste-oriented device, including, for example a monitor,         display, projector, overhead display, keyboard, keypad, mouse,         trackball, joystick, gamepad, wheel, touchpad touch panel,         pointing device, microphone, speaker, video camera, camera,         scanner, printer, haptic device, vibrator, tactile simulator,         and/or tactile pad, potentially including a port to which an I/O         device can be attached or connected.     -   input—a signal, data, and/or information provided to a         processor, device, and/or system.     -   input module—a device and/or system adapted to receive and/or         forward information between a programmable logic controller         (PLC) and a predetermined set of sensors and/or actuators.     -   machine-implementable instructions—directions adapted to cause a         machine, such as an information device, to perform one or more         particular activities, operations, and/or functions. The         directions, which can sometimes form an entity called a         “processor”, “kernel”, “operating system”, “program”,         “application”, “utility”, “subroutine”, “script”, “macro”,         “file”, “project”, “module”, “library”, “class”, and/or         “object”, etc., can be embodied as machine code, source code,         object code, compiled code, assembled code, interpretable code,         and/or executable code, etc., in hardware, firmware, and/or         software.     -   machine-readable medium—a physical structure from which a         machine, such as an information device, computer,         microprocessor, and/or controller, etc., can obtain and/or store         data, information, and/or instructions. Examples include         memories, punch cards, and/or optically-readable forms, etc.     -   may—is allowed and/or permitted to, in at least some         embodiments.     -   memory device—an apparatus capable of storing analog or digital         information, such as instructions and/or data. Examples include         a non-volatile memory, volatile memory, Random Access Memory,         RAM, Read Only Memory, ROM, flash memory, magnetic media, a hard         disk, a floppy disk, a magnetic tape, an optical media, an         optical disk, a compact disk, a CD, a digital versatile disk, a         DVD, and/or a raid array, etc. The memory device can be coupled         to a processor and/or can store instructions adapted to be         executed by processor, such as according to an embodiment         disclosed herein.     -   method—a process, procedure, and/or collection of related         activities for accomplishing something.     -   more—in addition to.     -   negative voltage gain—an increase or decrease in signal power,         voltage, and/or current, expressed as the ratio of output to         input having a slope that is less than approximately zero.     -   network—a communicatively coupled plurality of nodes,         communication devices, and/or information devices. Via a         network, such devices can be linked, such as via various         wireline and/or wireless media, such as cables, telephone lines,         power lines, optical fibers, radio waves, and/or light beams,         etc., to share resources (such as printers and/or memory         devices), exchange files, and/or allow electronic communications         therebetween. A network can be and/or can utilize any of a wide         variety of sub-networks and/or protocols, such as a circuit         switched, public-switched, packet switched, connection-less,         wireless, virtual, radio, data, telephone, twisted pair, POTS,         non-POTS, DSL, cellular, telecommunications, video distribution,         cable, terrestrial, microwave, broadcast, satellite, broadband,         corporate, global national, regional, wide area, backbone,         packet-switched TCP/IP, IEEE 802.03, Ethernet. Fast Ethernet,         Token Ring, local area, wide area, IP, public Internet,         intranet, private, ATM, Ultra Wide Band (UWB), Wi-Fi, BlueTooth,         Airport, IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g,         X-10, electrical power, multi-domain, and/or multi-zone         sub-network and/or protocol, one or more Internet service         providers, and/or one or more information devices, such as a         switch, router, and/or gateway not directly connected to a local         area network, etc., and/or any equivalents thereof.     -   network interface—any physical and/or logical device, system,         and/or process capable of coupling an information device to a         network. Exemplary network interfaces comprise a telephone,         cellular phone, cellular modem, telephone data modem, fax modem,         wireless transceiver, Ethernet card, cable modem, digital         subscriber line interlace, bridge, hub, router, or other similar         device, software to manage such a device, and/or software to         provide a function of such a device.     -   obtain—to receive, get, take possession of, procure, acquire,         calculate, determine, and/or compute.     -   offset—a value adapted to correct a measurement when added to         the measurement.     -   one—a single entity.     -   plurality—more than one.     -   positive voltage gain—an increase or decrease in signal power,         voltage, and/or current, expressed as the ratio of output to         input having a slope that is greater than approximately zero.     -   predetermined—determine, decide, or establish in advance.     -   prior—earlier in time.     -   processor—a hardware, firmware, and/or software machine and/or         virtual machine comprising a set of machine-readable         instructions adaptable to perform a specific task. A processor         can utilize mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical,         magnetic, optical, informational, chemical, and/or biological         principles, mechanisms, signals, and/or inputs to perform the         task(s). In certain embodiments, a processor can act upon         information by manipulating, analyzing, modifying, and/or         converting it, transmitting the information for use by an         executable procedure and/or an information device, and/or         routing the information to an output device. A processor can         function as a central processing unit, local controller, remote         controller, parallel controller, and/or distributed controller,         etc. Unless stated otherwise, the processor can be a         general-purpose device, such as a microcontroller and/or a         microprocessor, such the Pentium IV series of microprocessor         manufactured by the Intel Corporation of Santa Clara, Calif. In         certain embodiments, the processor can be dedicated purpose         device, such as an Application Specific Integrated Circuit         (ASIC) or a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) that has been         designed to implement in its hardware and/or firmware at least a         part of an embodiment disclosed herein. A processor can reside         on and use the capabilities of a controller.     -   programmable logic controller (PLC)—a solid-state,         microprocessor-based, hard real-time computing system that is         used, via a network, to automatically monitor the status of         field-connected sensor inputs, and automatically control         communicatively-coupled devices of a controlled industrial         system (e.g., actuators, solenoids, relays, switches, motor         starters, speed drives (e.g., variable frequency drives,         silicon-controlled rectifiers, etc.), pilot lights, igniters,         tape drives, speakers, printers, monitors, displays, etc.)         according to a user-created set of values and user-created logic         and/or instructions stored in memory. The sensor inputs reflect         measurements and/or status information related to the controlled         industrial system. A PLC provides any of: automated input/output         control; switching; counting; arithmetic operations; complex         data manipulation; logic; timing; sequencing; communication;         data file manipulation; report generation; control; relay         control; motion control; process control; distributed control;         and/or monitoring of processes, manufacturing equipment, and/or         other automation of the controlled industrial system. Because of         its precise and hard real-time timing and sequencing         capabilities, a PLC is programmed using ladder logic or some         form of structured programming language specified in IEC         61131-3, namely, FBD (Function Block Diagram), LD (Ladder         Diagram), ST (Structured Text, Pascal type language), IL         (Instruction List) and/or SFC (Sequential Function Chart).         Because of its precise and real-time timing and sequencing         capabilities, a PLC can replace up to thousands of relays and         cam timers. PLC hardware often has good redundancy and fail-over         capabilities. A PLC can use a Human-Machine Interface (HMI) for         interacting with users for configuration, alarm reporting,         and/or control.     -   real-time—a system (or sub-system) characterized by time         constraints on individual activities and scheduling criteria for         using those time constraints to achieve acceptable system         timeliness with acceptable predictability.     -   receive—to gather, take, acquire, obtain, accept, get, and/or         have bestowed upon.     -   render—to display, annunciate, speak, print, and/or otherwise         make perceptible to a human, for example as data commands, text,         graphics, audio, video, animation, and/or hyperlinks, etc., such         as via any visual, audio, and/or haptic mechanism, such as via a         display, monitor, printer, electric paper, ocular implant,         cochlear implant, speaker, etc.     -   request—(v.) to express a need and/or desire for; to inquire         and/or ask for. (n.) that which communicates an expression of         desire and/or that which is asked for.     -   reset—a control adapted to clear and/or change a threshold.     -   said—when used in a system or device claim, an article         indicating a subsequent claim term that has been previously         introduced.     -   select—to choose an item.     -   signal—information encoded as automatically detectable         variations in a physical variable, such as a pneumatic,         hydraulic, acoustic, fluidic, mechanical, electrical, magnetic,         optical, chemical, and/or biological variable, such as power,         energy, pressure, flowrate viscosity, density, torque, impact,         force, frequency, phase, voltage, current, resistance,         magnetomotive force, magnetic field intensity, magnetic field         flux, magnetic flux density, reluctance, permeability, index of         refraction, optical wavelength, polarization, reflectance,         transmittance, phase shift, concentration, and/or temperature,         etc. Depending on the context, a signal can be synchronous,         asynchronous, hard real-time, soft real-time, non-real time,         continuously generated, continuously varying, analog, discretely         generated, discretely varying, quantized, digital, continuously         measured and/or discretely measured, etc.     -   soft deadline—the general case where completing an activity by a         deadline results in a system receiving a utility measured in         terms of lateness (completion time minus deadline), such that         there exist positive lateness values corresponding to positive         utility values for the system. Lateness can be viewed in terms         of tardiness (positive lateness), or earliness (negative         lateness). Generally, and potentially within certain bounds,         larger positive values of lateness or tardiness represent lower         utility, and larger positive values of earliness represent         greater utility.     -   soft real-time—relating to computer systems that take a best         efforts approach and minimize latency from event to response as         much as possible while keeping throughput up with external         events overall. Such systems will not suffer a critical failure         if time constraints are violated. For example, live audio-video         systems are usually soft real-time; violation of time         constraints can result in degraded quality, but the system can         continue to operate. Another example is a network server, which         is a system for which fast response is desired but for which         there is no deadline. If the network server is highly loaded,         its response time may slow with no failure in service. This is         contrasted with an anti-lock braking system where a slow down in         response would likely cause system failure, possibly even         catastrophic failure.     -   store—to place, hold, retain, enter, and/or copy into and/or         onto a machine-readable medium.     -   substantially—to a considerable, large, and/or great, but not         necessarily whole and/or entire, extent and/or degree.     -   system—a collection of mechanisms, devices, machines, articles         of manufacture, processes, data, and/or instructions, the         collection designed to perform one or more specific functions.     -   temperature—measure of the average kinetic energy of the         molecules in a sample of matter, expressed in terms of units or         degrees designated on a standard scale.     -   thermocouple—a temperature sensor that produces a         temperature-proportional electrical voltage.     -   transmit—to provide, furnish, supply, send as a signal, and/or         to convey (e.g., force, energy, and/or information) from one         place and/or thing to another.     -   user—a person, organization, process, device, program, protocol,         and/or system that uses a device, system, process, and/or         service.     -   user interface—a device and/or software program for rendering         information to a user and/or requesting information from the         user. A user interface can include at least one of textual,         graphical, audio, video, animation, and/or haptic elements. A         textual element can be provided, for example, by a printer,         monitor, display, projector, etc. A graphical element can be         provided, for example, via a monitor, display, projector, and/or         visual indication device, such as a light, flag, beacon, etc. An         audio element can be provided, for example, via a speaker,         microphone, and/or other sound generating and/or receiving         device. A video element or animation element can be provided,         for example, via a monitor, display, projector, and/or other         visual device. A haptic element can be provided, for example,         via a very low frequency speaker, vibrator, tactile stimulator,         tactile pad, simulator, keyboard, keypad, mouse, trackball,         joystick, gamepad, wheel, touchpad, touch panel, pointing         device, and/or other haptic device, etc. A user interface can         include one or more textual elements such as, for example, one         or more letters, number, symbols, etc. A user interface can         include one or more graphical elements such as, for example, an         image photograph, drawing, icon, window, title bar, panel,         sheet, tab, drawer, matrix table, form calendar, outline view,         frame, dialog box, static text, text box, list, pick list,         pop-up list, pull-down list, menu, tool bar, dock, check box,         radio button, hyperlink, browser, button, control, palette,         preview panel, color wheel, dial, slider, scroll bar, cursor,         status bar, stepper, and/or progress indicator, etc. A textual         and/or graphical element can be used for selecting, programming,         adjusting, changing, specifying, etc. an appearance, background         color, background style, border style, border thickness,         foreground color, font, font style, font size, alignment, line         spacing, indent, maximum data length, validation, query, cursor         type, pointer type, autosizing, position, and/or dimension, etc.         A user interface can include one or more audio elements such as,         for example, a volume control, pitch control, speed control,         voice selector, and/or one or more elements for controlling         audio play, speed, pause, fast forward, reverse, etc. A user         interface can include one or more video elements such as, for         example, elements controlling video play, speed, pause, fast         forward, reverse, zoom-in, zoom-out, rotate, and/or tilt, etc. A         user interface can include one or more animation elements such         as, for example, elements controlling animation play, pause,         fast forward, reverse, zoom-in, zoom-out, rotate, tilt, color,         intensity, speed, frequency, appearance, etc. A user interface         can include one or more haptic elements such as, for example,         elements utilizing tactile stimulus, force, pressure, vibration,         motion, displacement, temperature, etc.     -   value—a measured, assigned, determined, and/or calculated         quantity or quality for a variable and/or parameter.     -   via—by way of and/or utilizing.     -   voltage—(a.k.a., “potential difference” and “electromotive         force” (EMF)) a difference in electrical potential between any         two conductors of an electrical circuit and/or a quantity,         expressed as a signed number of Volts (V), and measured as a         signed difference between two points in an electrical circuit         which, when divided by the resistance in Ohms between those         points gives the current flowing between those points in         Amperes, according to Ohm's Law.     -   wherein—in regard to which; and; and/or in addition to.     -   within—inside.

Note

Still other substantially and specifically practical and useful embodiments will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from reading the above-recited and/or herein-included detailed description and/or drawings of certain exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that numerous variations, modifications, and additional embodiments are possible, and accordingly, all such variations, modifications, and embodiments are to be regarded as being within the scope of this application.

Thus, regardless of the content of any portion (e.g., title, field, background, summary, description, abstract, drawing figure, etc.) of this application, unless clearly specified to the contrary, such as via explicit definition, assertion, or argument, with respect to any claim, whether of this application and/or any claim of any application claiming priority hereto, and whether originally presented or otherwise:

-   -   there is no requirement for the inclusion of any particular         described or illustrated characteristic, function, activity, or         element, any particular sequence of activities, or any         particular interrelationship of elements;     -   any elements can be integrated, segregated, and/or duplicated;     -   any activity can be repeated, any activity can be performed by         multiple entities, and/or any activity can be performed in         multiple jurisdictions; and     -   any activity or element can be specifically excluded, the         sequence of activities can vary, and/or the interrelationship of         elements can vary.

Moreover, when any number or range is described herein, unless clearly stated otherwise, that number or range is approximate. When any range is described herein, unless clearly stated otherwise, that range includes all values therein and all subranges therein. For example, if a range of 1 to 10 is described, that range includes all values therebetween, such as for example, 1.1, 2.5, 3.335, 5, 6.179, 8.9999, etc., and includes all subranges therebetween, such as for example, 1 to 3.65, 2.8 to 8.14, 1.93 to 9, etc.

When any claim element is followed by a drawing element number, that drawing element number is exemplary and non-limiting on claim scope.

Any information in any material (e.g., a United States patent, United States patent application, book, article, etc.) that has been incorporated by reference herein, is only incorporated by reference to the extent that no conflict exists between such information and the other statements and drawings set forth herein. In the event of such conflict, including a conflict that would render invalid any claim herein or seeking priority hereto, then any such conflicting information in such material is specifically not incorporated by reference herein.

Accordingly, every portion (e.g., title, field, background, summary, description, abstract, drawing figure, etc.) of this application, other than the claims themselves, is to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive. 

1. A system comprising: a thermocouple input module adapted to: using calibration voltage values received from a thermocouple, determine one or more calibration factors selected from an offset, positive voltage gain, negative voltage gain, and a cold junction temperature adjustment; store said calibration factors; and prior to obtaining a temperature value approximately corresponding to an incoming thermocouple voltage value, apply said calibration factors to said incoming thermocouple voltage value to obtain an adjusted thermocouple voltage value.
 2. The system, of claim 1, further comprising: a programmable logic controller adapted to be communicatively coupled to said thermocouple input module, said programmable logic controller adapted to control an actuator based upon said temperature value.
 3. The system, of claim 1, wherein said thermocouple input module is further adapted to: receive said calibration voltage values from said thermocouple.
 4. The system, of claim 1, wherein said thermocouple input module is further adapted to: convert said adjusted thermocouple voltage value to said temperature value.
 5. The system, of claim 1, wherein said thermocouple input module is further adapted to: convert said adjusted thermocouple voltage value to said temperature value; and transmit said temperature value to a programmable logic controller.
 6. The system, of claim 1 wherein said thermocouple input module is further adapted to: reset said calibration factors to stored defaults.
 7. The system, of claim 1, wherein: said one or more calibration factors are determined within firmware of said thermocouple input module.
 8. The system, of claim 1, wherein said thermocouple input module is further adapted to: said one or more calibration factors comprise said offset, positive voltage gain, negative voltage gain, and said cold junction temperature adjustment.
 9. A method comprising: within a thermocouple input module coupled to a programmable logic controller, using calibration voltage values received from a thermocouple, determining one or more calibration factors selected from an offset, positive voltage gain, negative voltage gain, and a cold junction temperature adjustment; and storing said calibration factors; and within said thermocouple input module, prior to obtaining a temperature value approximately corresponding to an incoming thermocouple voltage value, applying said calibration factors to said incoming thermocouple voltage value to obtain an adjusted thermocouple voltage value.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising: receiving said calibration voltage values from said thermocouple.
 11. The method of claim 9, further comprising: converting said adjusted thermocouple voltage value to said temperature value.
 12. The method of claim 9, further comprising: converting said adjusted thermocouple voltage value to said temperature value; and transmitting said temperature value to said programmable logic controller.
 13. The method of claim 9, further comprising: resetting said calibration factors to stored defaults.
 14. The method of claim 9, wherein: said one or more calibration factors are determined within firmware of said thermocouple input module.
 15. A method comprising: within a thermocouple input module coupled to a programmable logic controller, for calibration voltage values received from a thermocouple, prior to obtaining a temperature value approximately corresponding to an incoming thermocouple voltage value, applying determined calibration factors to said incoming thermocouple voltage value to obtain an adjusted thermocouple voltage value, said calibration factors comprising an offset, positive voltage gain, negative voltage gain, and a cold junction temperature adjustment. 